Narrowcast television is a service that provides specialised and niche television content, rather than programming of broad appeal. This can include TV services that are:
- available for a limited location
- broadcast for a limited time or for a special event
- targeted to special interest groups or audiences.
Narrowcast TV services in Australia include open narrowcast TV and subscription narrowcast TV. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) maintains a list of narrowcast TV services.
Licensing
Narrowcast TV services must have a licence and comply with the conditions in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and theRadiocommunications Act 1992.
Narrowcast TV services must also comply with the Broadcasting Services (Anti-terrorism Requirements for Television Narrowcasting Services) Standard 2021, set out by the ACMA.
You can learn more about narrowcasting licences on the ACMA website.
Codes of practice
The ACMA regulates narrowcast TV services in Australia, using industry codes of practice.
The codes are in place to ensure narrowcasting services benefit the community. These codes help to:
- maintain standards for content
- provide guidelines for news and current affairs programs
- handle conflicts and complaints.
If you have a complaint about something you've watched on narrowcast TV, you must first contact the service directly. If you're not happy with the response, you can complain to the ACMA.
Last reviewed: 30 September 2026